diff --git a/plugins/gradle/README.md b/plugins/gradle/README.md
index 3756db0dc..635b89d39 100644
--- a/plugins/gradle/README.md
+++ b/plugins/gradle/README.md
@@ -11,17 +11,25 @@ plugins=(... gradle)
 ## Usage
 
 This plugin creates a function called `gradle-or-gradlew`, which is aliased
-to `gradle`, which is used to determine whether the current project directory
-has a gradlew file. If `gradlew` is present it will be used, otherwise `gradle`
-is used instead. Gradle tasks can be executed directly without regard for
-whether it is `gradle` or `gradlew`. It also supports being called from
-any directory inside the root project directory.
+to `gradle` and `gradlew`. This function is is used to determine whether the
+current project directory has a `gradlew` wrapper file. If this file is present
+it will be used, otherwise the `gradle` binary from the system environment is
+used instead. Gradle tasks can be executed directly without regard for whether
+it is the environment `gradle` or the `gradlew` wrapper being invoked. It also
+supports being called from any directory inside the root directory of a Gradle
+project.
 
 Examples:
 
 ```zsh
+# Enter project directory
+cd /my/gradle/project
+# Will call `gradlew` if present or `gradle` if not
 gradle test
-gradle build
+# Enter a sub-directory of the project directory
+cd my/sub/directory
+# Will call `gradlew` from `/my/gradle/project` if present or `gradle` if not
+gradlew build
 ```
 
 ## Completion
diff --git a/plugins/gradle/gradle.plugin.zsh b/plugins/gradle/gradle.plugin.zsh
index dacc46478..e8ea0a403 100644
--- a/plugins/gradle/gradle.plugin.zsh
+++ b/plugins/gradle/gradle.plugin.zsh
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ function gradle-or-gradlew() {
     dir="${dir:h}"
   done
 
-  # if gradlew found, run it instead of gradle
+  # if local gradle wrapper found, run it instead of gradle
   if [[ -f "$project_root/gradlew" ]]; then
-    echo "executing gradlew instead of gradle"
+    echo "executing local gradle wrapper instead of gradle"
     "$project_root/gradlew" "$@"
   else
     command gradle "$@"
@@ -23,4 +23,5 @@ function gradle-or-gradlew() {
 }
 
 alias gradle=gradle-or-gradlew
+alias gradlew=gradle-or-gradlew
 compdef _gradle gradle-or-gradlew